Straight bar knitting machines

ABSTRACT

A method of cable stitching on a straight bar-knitting machine by use of a narrowing head having two rods one of which carries one, or two, loop transfer points, the other of which carries a masking blade or a loop transfer point, with cam or solenoid means controlling the masking blade or point on the second rod, adjustable lead screw means for sideways adjusting the first or both rods, oppositely operable ratchet mechanism for the lead screw mechanism, and selector disc control means operable by solenoids for selectively controlling the ratchet means, or solenoids being under control of selection control means such as electric program and chart reader means.

l 13,5ss,s20

Ruddington;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1969 Crawford RaymondBlook, Loughborough, both of, England Primary Examiner-Ronald FeldbaumAuomey-Larson and Taylor ABSTRACT: A method of cable stitching on astraight barknitting machine by use of a narrowing head having two rodsone of which carries one, or two, loop transfer points, the other ofwhich carries a masking blade or a loop transfer m H m. 8 M mm m W 1 9 m9 zm mmu QB f mfi mam mm lawn a .JWFGQC-I m wh n L n wmmm Ami o-Ahnnflnnnu UUHUUUB.

with cam or solenoid means controlling the masking blade or point on thesecond rod, adjustable lead screw means for sideways adjusting the firstor both rods, oppositely operable ratchet mechanism for the lead screwmechanism, and selector disc control means operable by solenoids forselectively controlling the ratchet means, or solenoids being undercontrol of selection control means such as electric program M G w; m

w. mm

PATENTED JUN22 ism SHEET 01 [1F PATENTEU JUN22 IS?! SHEET 02 0F 10PATENTEU JUN2 2 I97! SHEET 05 1F PATENTEU JUN22 19m SHEET 07 0F STRAIGHTBAR KNITTING MACHINES This application is a continuation of my previousapplication, Ser. No. 708,833, filed Feb. 28, 1968.

This invention is for improvements in or relating to straightbar-knitting machines and concerns a method of cable stitching in astraight bar-knitting machine equipped with means for lace patterningwhich includes lace points adapted for individual and/or joint use totransfer loops in opposite directions from certain needles to otherneedles of the machine, which method consists in adapting apredetermined small number of lace points to cooperate with a smallgroup of a predetermined greater number of adjacent needles, betweenconsecutive knitting operations, and to transfer, by opposite transfermotions of the same predetermined, small number of the lace points overpredetermined numbers of needle distances, yarn loops originally onneedles at each side of the group of needles to the other side of thegroup in a number of transfer and reset operations which is the minimumpossible according to the number of points used and the number of needledistances elected for the transfer motions of the number of points. In aparticular arrangement the method includes forming at each side of thecable-stitching wales of drop stitches or tuck stitches.

In the particular arrangements disclosed, one which necessitates fourtransfer and reset motions produces a cable stitch in which there arecrossed loops on only three needles, whereas for producing a cablestitch with loops on four needles, the smallest number of operationsdisclosed is five transfer and reset motions, and this necessitates theuse of two points each mounted on a separate control mechanism foroperation in different spaced relationships.

An object of the invention is to form a cable stitch with loops on fourneedles in the minimum number of five transfer and reset motions,without the necessity for having two transfer point mechanisms.

The invention provides a method of cable stitch patterning in knittedfabric produced on a straight bar-knitting machine and having only onetransfer mechanism carrying a pair of consecutive loop transfer points,which method includes causing the points to operate on a group of atleast five consecutive needles, in a five transfer and reset stagesequence to transfer loops originally on the first, second and thirdneedles to the fourth and fifth needles, and the yarn loops originallyon the fourth and fifth needles to the first and second needles, and forthe purpose causing the points to be used, for predetermined differentstages, with or without one of the points being ineffective.Conveniently the method includes displacing a blanking element betweenan operative position rendering one of the loop transfer pointsineffective on the needle, and an inoperative position allowing the looptransfer points to be effective on the needle.

In one arrangement the two points are operated together at a thirdstage, in a five stage sequence, to transfer loops from the second andthird needles to the third and fourth needles respectively, at a fifthstage to transfer loops from the third and fourth needles to the fourthand fifth needles respectively, at a first and fourth stage one pointtransfer a loop from the first needle to the second needle and a loopfrom the fifth needle to the second needle respectively while in eachinstance the other point cooperates with the next needle devoid of aloop outside the group of five needles, and at the second stage onepoint transfers a loop from the fourth needle to the first needles whilethe other point has cooperating with it a blanking element rendering itineffective.

In another arrangement the two points are operated together at a firststage to transfer loops from the first and second needles to the secondand third needles respectively, at a third stage to transfer loops fromthe second and third needles to the third and fourth needles, and at afifth stage to transfer loops from the third and fourth needles to thefourth and fifth needles, and one point is rendered inoperative orineffective while the other point is operative at a second stage totransfer a loop from the fourth needle to the first needle and at afourth stage to transfer a loop from the fifth needle to the secondneedle.

Conveniently in the instance of using a blanking element this is mountedon a rod to be permanently dispositioned for cooperation with only oneneedle, and it is pivotally displaceable repeatedly by cam operatedmeans between two positions at the beard side of the needle in one ofwhich it prevents one of the loop transfer points, when the point isopposite the needle, from cooperating with the needle, and it is alsodisplaceable to an inoperative position at the rear of the needle, by anabutment projecting from the other point, when the point is opposite theneedle.

In another instance the method includes rendering one of the pointsineffective at required times by action of an electromagnetic device.

The invention also provides, for carrying out the above methods, astraight bar-knitting machine having in the narrowing head transferpoint rod means carrying cable finger means having a pair of adjacentloop transfer points, pawl and ratchet adjustable lead screw mechanismfor effecting sideways displacements of the transfer point rod one, twoor three needle distances in either direction, cam operated means foroperat ing the pawls, control levers connected to the pawls, a series ofselector discs with three different height rises for operating thecontrol levers, a series of electromagnetic devices for displacing theselector discs, and means for rendering one of the points ineffective asand when required. Conveniently in one arrangement said means comprisesa blanking element on a second transfer point rod and means fordisplacing the blanking element between different positions. This lattermeans conveniently comprises a cam operated mechanism and an abutmentprojecting from the cable finger. In another arrangement one of thetransfer pointsis carried by a cable finger on one transfer point rodand the other point is carried by a cable finger on a second transferpoint rod, and the cable finger is pivotally displaceable betweenoperative and inoperative positions by an electromagnetic device.

The electromagnetic devices are operated as and when required byselection control means for example electric program chart and readermeans.-

The foregoing and other features of the invention set out in theappended claims are incorporated in the methods hereinafter particularlydescribed in'greater detail by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a detail sectional view of loop transfer point mechanism andpoint blanking means, for cable stitching in knitted fabric, accordingto the invention.

FIG. 2 is a similar view to FIG. 1 with the point-blanking meansrendered inoperative.

FIG. 3 is a similar view to FIG. 2 with the point-blanking machinerendered inoperative in modified manner.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of one sequence of operationsfor cable stitching by use of the mechanism of FIG. 1 and 2 according tothe invention.

FIG. 5 is a similar view to FIG. 1 without the point-blanking means andwith point idling means.

FIG. 6 is a similar view to FIG. 5 showing the point-idling meansoperated.

FIG. 7 is a similar view to FIG. 4 showing a modified sequence ofoperations for cable stitching according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a front view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of relevant parts of a straightbar-knitting machine.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the left-hand side of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of racking control means inthe machine.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the racking controlmeans.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8 and 9, a straight barknitting machinerepresented by bearded needle I has in the narrowing head a transferpoint rod 3 carrying a cable finger 4 having a pair of adjacent looptransfer points Pl, FIG. 3, 8 and 9 and P2, FIGS. 11,2, 3, 9 and in thesame plane as the point P2 is a peg 5 projecting from the cable finger4.

There is also in the narrowing head, a mounting rod 6 for an arm '7carrying a point-blanking element known as a peaking spade This arm 7also has a bearing face 7a for removably cooperating with the peg 5.

The arm 7 is displaceable to displace the peaking spade 8 between anoperative position, FIGS. I, 8, between a point and the needle beard 2,and an inoperative position, FIG. 2, clear of the needle II, by a peg 9at one side of the arm 7 and carried by a bellcrank lever M) which isconnected by a link, partly shown at II, to cam operating mechanism ofwhich the cam provides a repeating motion once per course, and thebellcrank lever W and the arm 7 being interconnected by a spring 112.

In the position known as the takeoff, FIGS. I, 3, and when the point P2is coplanar with the peaking spade 8, the action of the link llll andthe spring 12 is to cause the peaking spade 3 to intervene between thepoint and the top of the needle F2 thereby to prevent the point P2 frompicking up a loop from the needle and allowing the loop to pass alongthe needle to behind the beard so as not to be cast off the needle.

The points are displaced sideways for cooperating with each of a smallgroup of needles, whereas the peaking blade is not sideways displacedbut cooperates only with one of the needles, in the manner justdescribed, and since with one other exception, to be hereinafterreferred to, the points when cooperating with the different needles aresideways displaced from the peaking spade 8, the repeat action of thepeaking spade 3 between the operative and inoperative positions has noeffect on the points operation. The other exception is when the secondpoint Pll becomes opposite the peaking spade 3, and since at this stageit is not required to prevent takeoff of a loop, the peaking spade 8 isrendered inoperative by the peg 5 engaging the bearing face 7a, FIGS. 3,9, as a result of a sideways displacement of the points.

This mechanism is operated for cable stitching on a group of fiveconsecutive needles in five transfer and reset stages as follows,referring to FIG. 4.

Immediately before stage A, the points P1, P2, are set with the point P2opposite needle la, and the point PI opposite the next needle outsidethe group of five needles and which is devoid of a loop for the purposeof drop stitching on this needle.

In the transfer operation indicated at T of stage A, the points Pll, P2are operated for the point P2 to transfer the loop on the first needlella to the second needle 1b, and in the reset operation, indicated at R,the points P1, P2 are moved to the fourth and fifth needles ld, Ie.

In the next transfer operation T at stage B, the points Pll, P2 arefirst lowered to the needles Id, 1e, and it is at this time that thepeaking spade 8 becomes operative, as hereinbefore described withreference to FIG. I, so that it is only the point Fll which takes a loopfrom the fourth needle lld and transfers the loop to the first needlell. Next the points P1, P2 are reset to the second and third needles lb,as indicated at R stage In the next transfer operation T, stage C, thepoints P1, P2 transfer loops from the second and third needles lb, lie,to the third and fourth needles It, lid respectively, and then thepoints are reset as at R stage C, to the fifth needle Ie and to the nextneedle outside the group of five needles, respectively.

This outside needle is devoid of a loop, for drop stitching on theneedle and therefore the point P2 is ineffective for the nexttransfer'operation.

Since it is then required for the point P1 to pick up the loop from thefifth needle lie, and bearing in mind that the peaking spade 8 normallyoperates at this needle, it is at this time that the peg 5 holds thepeaking spade t3 inoperative, as hereinbefore described with referenceto FIG. 3.

At the next transfer operation T, stage D, the point P1 transfers theloop from the fourth needle lld to the second needle lb, and then thepoints are reset to the third and fourth needles In, M as indicated at Rstage D.

At the next transfer operation T, stage E, the points PI, P2 transferthe loops from the third and fourth needles Ic, lid, to the fourth andfifth needles Id, Ie respectively, as shown at R stage E, to completethe crossover loop formation for the cable stitching.

In the modified arrangement of FIGS. 5 to 7, and 10 the peaking spademechanism is not employed. Instead, as indicated in FIGS. 5, 6 and I0,there is a separate finger 13 for the point PI and this finger I3 ismounted on the rod 6 which is movable with the rod 3 in the samedirection with the same or different amplitudes of movement.

Also on the rod 6 is an arm I4 connected to a solenoid 15, the operationof which moves the point P2 between an operative position alongside thepoint P2 and an inoperative position clear of the needles, FIG. 6.

In use of this mechanism, FIG. 7, the points P1, P2 are startedcooperating with the first and second needles lla, llb respectively asshown at the top of the Figure.

In the first transfer operation T stage A, the points P1, P2 transferloops from the first and second needles lla, llb to the second and thirdneedles 1b, 1c respectively, and then the point P2 is reset to thefourth needle Id while the solenoid holds the point P1 in its inoperateposition.

In the next transfer operation T, stage B, the point P2 transfers theloop from the fourth needle lle to the first needle Ia, and then thepoints Pl, P2 are reset as at R, stage B, to the second and thirdneedles lb, 110.

In the next transfer operation T, stage C, the points Ill, P2 transferthe loops from the second and third needles lb, 10 to the third andfourth needles 110, Ed respectively and the point P2 resets, as at Rstage C, to the fifth needle is, while the point PI is held inoperativeby the solenoid.

In the next transfer operation T, stage D, the point P2 transfers theloop from the fifth needle Ie to the second needle lb, and then thepoints lll, P2 reset, as at R, stage D, to the third and fourth needlesllc, lld, respectively.

In the last transfer operation T, stage E, the points lPll, P2 transferthe loops from the third and fourth needles llc, lid to the fourth andfifth needles lld, Re which completes the cycle of operations.

It will be noted that the action of the points is an alternating one asbetween the one point and the two points which is comparatively simpleso that although the solenoid may be under control of a punched cardcontrol system it may be alternatively under control of a switchoperated every second fashioning dip of the narrowing head.

It will be understood that modificationsmay be made within the scope ofthe invention. For example, control of the peaking spade of FIGS. I to4, 3, 9 may be obtained by the solenoid arrangement of FIGS. 5 to 7 andIII, with the same advantage of being controllable from a punched cardcontrol system.

The above methods are conveniently carried out on a straightbar-knitting machine shown in FIGS. Ill to 113.

Referring to FIG. Ill the machine is of conventional type having a bar117 of the bearded needles I simultaneously operable by usual camfollower levers I8, 19, and cams 20, 211 on the machines main cam shaft22, usual sinkers 23, and usual narrowing head represented at 241 whichis pivoted on a shaft 25 and is displaceable with usual raising anddipping motions by link 26 connected to a cam follower lever 27 operableby a cam 28 on the came shaft 22.

The narrowing head 24% mounts the pair of transfer point rods 3, 6. Thepoint rod 3 is sideways displaceable by having thereon a pair of spacedcollars 29, 30, FIG. 8, between which projects a plate member 3ll whichis sideways displaceable by being connected by means 32 FIG. II to ascrew nut 33 on an adjustable lead screw 341.

For obtaining the required sideways movements of the transfer point rod3, which carries the cable finger 4 having the points P1, P2, the leadscrew 34 has on it opposite ratchet wheels 35, 36 for releasableengagement by pawls 37R, 38T, 37T, 38R, respectively which are operatedby cam follower rollers 39, 3% on a bellcrank cam follower lever 39bcooperating with a cam 40 on the cam shaft 22, under control of controlmeans rendering the pawls operative and inoperative selectively whenrequired and also determining the extent of racking i.e. one, two orthree needle distances, and the direction of racking for each instanceof the sideways transfer or resetting movements of the loop transferpoints.

This control means comprises the pawls 37R, 38T, 37T, 38R having controlplates 41R, 42T, 41T, 42R projecting therefrom which ride againstdisplaceable rollers 43R, 44T 431, MR respectively.

These rollers 43R, MT, 43T, 44R are mounted on horizontal bars 45R, 46T,45T, 46R, FIG. 13, carried for horizontal movement by pairs of pivotedarms 47R, 48T, 47T, 48R, FIG. 11, and the bars are selectivelydisplaceable through the intermediary of links 49R, 50T, 49T, 50R, FIG.13 which connect them to control levers SIR, 52T, 51T, 52R shaped asshown in FIG. 1 I.

The control lever 51R has an upper peg 53 projecting laterally from itacross three selector discs 54, 55, 56, FIG. 13, and the control lever52T has a lower peg 57 projecting laterally in the opposite directionacross the same three selector discs 54, 55, 56. Similarly an upper peg53 of the control I lever 51T projects across three selector cam discs54, 55",

56' and a lower peg 57' of the control lever 52R projects across theselatter three selector discs.

Each selector disc 54, 54 has two spaced rises such as 54a, 54b, FIGS.ll, 12, for cooperating with its associated peg such as 53, 57 and theyare at a low height. Each selector disc 55, 55' similarly has two risessuch as 55a,, 55b which are a small distance higher than the rises 54a,54b. Each selector disc 56 has similar rises such as 56a, 56b at aheight a small distance greater than the rises 55a, 55b.

The six selector discs are connected by links 58, 59, 60, 58, S9, 60',H6. 13, to six solenoids 61, 62, 63, 61', 62, 63 respectively which maybe under control of the same punched card system as that of theaforesaid solenoid 15.

In addition, an arm 64a of a lever 64 engages behind the lower peg 57,and the lever 64 is connected by a link 65 to an arm 66 secured on a rod67 on which is also secured the control levers 51R, SIT and on which thecontrol levers 52T, 52R are free. The lever 64 is pivotally displaceableby an arm 68 connected by a link 69 to a cam follower lever 70 operableby a cam 71 on the main cam shaft 22.

In operation of this selection control mechanism, it should be borne inmind that each transfer motion of the transfer points is required to beselectively over one, two or three needle distances, and following eachtransfer motion there is a reset motion which is also required to beover one, two or three needle distances. These transfer and resetmotions are obtained by the cam 40 acting on the cam follower roller 39to raise the pawls 37T, 38T, 37R and 38R and acting also on the camfollower roller 39a to lower the pawls. The selection as to the extentof racking and the direction of racking is obtained by selective controlof the pawls through selective movement of the rollers 43T, 43R, MT, 44Rin relation to the control plates 41R, MT, 42R, 42T on the pawls, thearrangement being such that during each stroke of the pawls, the lengthof effective action on the ratchet wheels depends on the relation of therollers to the control plates. The arrangement is also such that duringsay an upward stroke of the pawls a pawl engages the ratchet teeth torack the ratchet wheel, while its complementary pawl rides over theteeth, and conversely during a lowering movement of the pawls thelast-mentioned pawl has racking engagement with the teeth while thefirst-men tioned pawl rides over the teeth.

In one example by way of explanation, the position of the parts as shownin FIG. 11 i.e. with the pegs 53, 57 on the rises 56a, 56b, this is azero or neutral position. Before a selection is made, the cam 71operates for the arm 56b to take the weight of the pegs 53, 57 while aselection is made. If for example a one needle selection is required,solenoid 63 would be energized thereby to rotatably displace theselection disc 56 which would carry the highest rises 56a and 56b awayfrom the pegs 53, 57. When thereupon the cam 71 releases the pegs 53, 57they will move onto the next highest rises 55a, 55b thereby to move therollers 43R, MT in opposite directions one unit distance. The effect ofthis is that in the following operation of the cam 40 to raise the pawlsfor a transfer motion, the transfer pawl 3ST will act to turn itsratchet wheel one unit distance while its complementary pawl 37R willride over the ratchet teeth, and a one needle transfer will take placein one direction. If the'reverse direction had been required theselection would have been made by energizing the solenoid 63' by whichthe other transfer pawl 37T would have been caused to make a one unitrack while its complementary pawl 38R would ride over the teeth.

If a two needle transfer had been required there would have beenenergized the solenoids 63 and 62 to displace not only the highest rises56a, 56b but also the next highest rises 55a, 55b so that a two unitmovement is obtained in the one direction, and if the reverse directionis required this would be obtained by energizing of the solenoids 63,62.

For a three needle selection all three of the solenoids 61 to 63, or 61'to 63 would be energized to displace all three rises 56a, 55a, 54a and56b, 55b, 54b to obtain a three unit move ment.

Thus by suitably energizing the solenoids selectively under control of apunched card or like control system the necessary transfer and resetmotions are obtained.

The link 11, FIGS. 1 to 3, conveniently connects the bellcrank lever 10to a cam follower lever 72, FIGS. l1, 12 which cooperates with a cam 73on the cam shaft 22.

Since, in the arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6, both the cable fingers 4, 13have to be sideways displaced together, and it is necessary for thesolenoid l5 and arm 14 not to be sideways displaced the two rods 3 and 6are conveniently coupled together by a link 74 and the arm 14 isconveniently mounted on a splined or keyed part of the rod 6.

We claim:

1. A method of knitting a cable from five consecutive wales by fiveconsecutive knitting needles each having a loop flanked by first andsecond nonknitting needles without loops, and first and second looptransfer points of which the second point is capable of being renderedineffective when required, comprising the steps of initially situatingthe points in line with the first nonknitting needle and the firstknitting needle, actuating the second point to transfer the first loopfrom the first knitting needle out of the first wale onto the secondknitting needle into the second wale which thus has doubled loops, thenshifting the points into line with the fourth and fifth knittingneedles, rendering the second point ineffective, and actuating the firstpoint to transfer the fourth loop from the fourth knitting needle out ofthe fourth wale onto the first knitting needle into the first wale, thenshifting the points into line with the second and third knitting needlesand actuating the points to transfer the doubled loops and the thirdloop from the second and third knitting needles out of the second andthird wales onto the third and fourth knitting needles into the thirdand fourth wales, then shifting the points into line with the fifthknitting needle and the second nonknitting needle and actuating thefirst point to transfer the fifth loop from the fifth knitting needleout of the fifth wale onto the second knitting needle into the secondwale, then shifting the points into line with the third and fourthknitting needles and actuating the points to transfer the doubled loopsand the third loop from the third and fourth knitting needles out of thethird and fourth onto the fourth and fifth needles into the fourth andfifth wales.

2. A straight bar-knitting machine, comprising a narrowing head havingtransfer point rod means, cable finger means on the transfer point rodmeans and having a pair of adjacent loop transfer points, pawl andratchet adjustable lead screw mechanism disposed for effecting sidewaysdisplacements of the transfer point rod means one, two or three needledistances in either direction, cam operated means for operating thepawls, control levers connected to the pawls, a series of selector discswith three different height rises for operating the control levers, aseries of electromagnetic devices for displacing the selector discs, andcontrol means for rendering one of the points ineffective as and whenrequired.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, having one transfer point rodmounting the cable finger means, a blanking element on a second transferpoint rod, and means for displacing the blanking element betweendifferent positions comprising a cam-operated mechanism and an abutmentprojecting from the cable-finger means.

41. A machine as claimed in claim 2 having one of the transfer pointscarried by a cable finger on one transfer point rod, the other pointcarried by a cable finger on a second transfer point rod, and anelectromagnetic device for pivotaily displacing one of the cable fingersbetween operative and inoperative positions.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 2 having program chart and reader meansfor operating the series of electromagnetic devices as and whenrequired.

6. A straight bar-knitting machine according to claim 2, said controlmeans comprising an electromagnetic device, and including program chartand reader means for rendering the electromagnetic device operative asand when required.

7. A method of knitting a cable with five consecutive knitting needleshaving loops and first and second loop transfer points of which one iscapable of being rendered ineffective, comprising the steps of initiallyactuating one of the points, with the other point ineffective, totransfer the first loop from the first needle to the second needle, thenwith one of the points inefi'ective actuating the other point totransfer the fourth loop from the fourth needle to the first needle,then actuating both points to transfer the first, second and third loopsfrom the second and third needles to the third and fourth needles, thenwith one point ineffective, actuating the other point to transfer thefifth loop from the fifth needle to the second needle, then actuatingboth points to transfer the first, second and third loops from the thirdand fourth needles to the fourth and fifth needles.

8. A method of knitting a cable with five consecutive knitting needleshaving loops and first and second loop transfer points, of which one iscapable of being rendered ineffective, comprising the steps of initiallyactuating the first and second points to transfer the first and secondloops from the first and second needles to the second and third needles,then with one point ineffective actuating the other point to transferthe fourth loop from the fourth needle to the first needle, thenactuating both points to transferthe first, second and third loops fromthe second and third needles to the third and fourth needles, then withone of the points ineffective actuating the other point to transfer thefirst, second and third loops from the third and fourth needles to thefourth and fifth needles.

1. A method of knitting a cable from five consecutive wales by fiveconsecutive knitting needles each having a loop flanked by first andsecond nonknitting needles without loops, and first and second looptransfer points of which the second point is capable of being renderedineffective when required, comprising the steps of initially situatingthe points in line with the first nonknitting needle and the firstknitting needle, actuating the second point to transfer the first loopfrom the first knitting needle out of the first wale onto the secondknitting needle into the second wale which thus has doubled loops, thenshifting the points into line with the fourth and fifth knittingneedles, rendering the second point ineffective, and actuating the firstpoint to transfer the fourth loop from the fourth knitting needle out ofthe fourth wale onto the first knitting needle into the first wale, thenshifting the points into line with the second and third knitting needlesand actuating the points to transfer the doubled loops and the thirdloop from the second and third knitting needles out of the second andthird wales onto the third and fourth knitting needles into the thirdand fourth wales, then shifting the points into line with the fifthknitting needle and the second nonknitting needle and actuating thefirst point to transfer the fifth loop from the fifth knitting needleout of the fifth wale onto the second knitting needle into the secondwale, then shifting the points into line with the third and fourthknitting needles and actuating the points to transfer the doubled loopsand the third loop from the third and fourth knitting needles out of thethird and fourth onto the fourth and fifth needles into the fourth andfifth wales.
 2. A straight bar-knitting machine, comprising a narrowinghead having transfer point rod means, cable finger means on the transferpoint rod means and having a pair of adjacent loop transfer points, pawland ratchet adjustable lead screw mechanism disposed for effectingsideways displacements of the transfer point rod means one, two or threeneedle distances in either direction, cam operated means for operatingthe pawls, control levers connected to the pawls, a series of selectordiscs with three different height rises for operating the controllevers, a series of electromagnetic devices for displacing the selectordiscs, and control means for rendering one of the points ineffective asand when required.
 3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, having onetransfer point rod mounting the cable finger means, a blanking elementon a second transfer point rod, and means for displacing the blankingelement between different positions comprising a cam-operated mechanismand an abutment projecting from the cable-finger means.
 4. A machine asclaimed in claim 2 having one of the transfer points carried by a cablefinger on one transfer point rod, the other point carried by a cablefinger on a second transfer point rod, and an electromagnetic device forpivotally displacing one of the cable fingers between operative andinoperative positions. Pg,21
 5. A machine as claimed in claim 2 havingprogram chart and reader means for operating the series ofelectromagnetic devices as and when required.
 6. A straight bar-knittingmachine according to claim 2, said control means comprising anelectromagnetic device, and including program chart and reader means forrendering the electromagnetic device operative as and when required. 7.A method of knitting a cable with five consecutive knitting needleshaving loops and first and second loop transfer points of which one iscapable of being rendered ineffective, comprising the steps of initiallyactuating one of the points, with the other point ineffective, totransfer the first loop from the first needle to the second needle, thenwith one of the points ineffective actuating the other point to transferthe fourth loop from the fourth needle to the first needle, thenactuating both points to transfer the first, second and third loops fromthe second and third needles to the third and fourth needles, then withone point ineffective, actuating the other point to transfer the fifthloop from the fifth needle to the second needle, then actuating bothpoints to transfer the first, second and third loops from the third andfourth needles to the fourth and fifth needles.
 8. A method of knittinga cable with five consecutive knitting needles having loops and firstand second loop transfer points, of which one is capable of beingrendered ineffective, comprising the steps of initially actuating thefirst and second points to transfer the first and second loops from thefirst and second needles to the second and third needles, then with onepoint ineffective actuating the other point to transfer the fourth loopfrom the fourth needle to the first needle, then actuating both pointsto transfer the first, second and third loops from the second and thirdneedles to the third and fourth needles, then with one of the pointsineffective actuating the other point to transfer the first, second andthird loops from the third and fourth needles to the fourth and fifthneedles.